Former corrections officer at Tutwiler found not guilty of sexual misconduct

by Ben Culpepper

Matthew Hall

WETUMPKA, Ala. -- A former corrections officer at Tutwiler prison was acquitted Wednesday of sexual misconduct by an Elmore County jury, ABC 33/40 has learned. Matthew Hall, who was accused of fondling and kissing a death row inmate in 2011, was found not guilty, a decision that came as a disappointment to the Alabama Department of Corrections.

"The Alabama Department of Corrections is disappointed to hear the verdict, but respects the jury process," ADOC spokesperson Kristi Gates said in a release. "The department maintains a zero-tolerance policy for custodial sexual misconduct, and will strive to make every female offender feel safe and knowledgeable about the complaint process. If custodial sexual misconduct occurs one time, it is one time too many."

Both the 33-year-old Hall and the prisoner in question initially told investigators nothing had happened, though, the female inmate later gave prison investigators an 11-page statement detailing the alleged acts. Hall gave a taped confession, which was heard by jurors Tuesday, but his attorneys claimed the statement was coerced.Gates said ADOC will continue to assess its investigation procedures in order to give accurate information to local district attorneys for future prosecution.